Ramsey County Mental Health Court

The Ramsey County criminal justice system recognizes that many criminal offenders have significant underlying issues that attributed to their criminal actions and, therefore, may require additional resources to ensure they do not end up back in court in the future. For this reason, specialized programs such as drug courts, DUI courts, and veterans courts are in place to assist eligible offenders. The Ramsey County Mental Health Court (RCMHC) is one of only three programs in the state of Minnesota that is directed toward offenders who suffer from mental illness or coinciding mental illness and substance abuse issues.

Operational since 2005, the RCMHC has provided more than 400 individuals facing criminal charges an alternative path from traditional sentencing that includes mental health and social services. The mission of the RCMHC is to benefit both offenders and the community by reducing recidivism among the mentally ill and assisting participants in leading a stable, self-supportive lifestyle. Individuals may be eligible for the program if they are at least 18 years of age, have been diagnosed with a significant mental health condition, face non-violent charges (and have no history of violent crimes), and voluntarily agree to abide by the RCMHC’s rigorous conditions.

Mental health court is not necessarily the “easy” path

While many people may view the RCMHC as letting mentally ill offenders “off the hook” by dismissing their charges, there are many strict requirements that participants must adhere to in order to complete the program. Participants must:

• Obey the laws;
• Test clean at random drug and alcohol tests;
• Comply with all treatment plan components, including psychiatric appointments, medications, and other treatment recommendations;
• Appear at all scheduled meetings, appointments, support groups, and court appearances;
• Maintain appropriate housing arrangements;
• Perform community service; and
• Develop and follow a long-term wellness and treatment plan.

Contact an experienced St. Paul criminal defense lawyer for a free consultation

If you have a diagnosed mental health condition and are facing criminal charges, you may be eligible for acceptance into the mental health court system. The RCMHC is not for everyone, however, and whether you have the want or ability to successfully complete the program should be carefully considered. As experienced criminal defense and personal injury attorneys regularly practicing in Ramsey County, we understand the benefits and challenges of specialized court programs. Please do not hesitate to call our office at 612-730-1738 to discuss your case for free today.